Samir Helmy
Ghina'e
SIDE A
- Part 1
SIDE B
- Part 2
Location Issued
Damascus, Syria
Artist Origin
Aleppo, Syria
More Info
A collection of recordings by Samir Helmy. Edmond Haddad, known as Samir Helmy (1939-1995) was a Syrian artist, singer and composer. He was born in Aleppo, and began his artistic career there in school concerts and on the stages of the city – singing the songs of great contemporary artists such as Mohammed Abdel Wahab and others with his skilled melodious voice. In the mid-1950s, Helmy participated in the popular Aleppo radio program An Evening with the Microphone, which led to him becoming a frequent singer on the broadcast. After moving to Damascus, Helmy worked in the radio choir performing traditional songs. During this period, he also began learning the oud, becoming one of the best known players on the instrument. He sang a variety of emotive and patriotic songs during this time, and composed for notable male and female artists, including Maha Al-Jabri, Karawan, among others. By the 1960s, Samir Helmy was known as one of the giants music. He participated in the Adwaa Al-Madina concert in Cairo in 1971. He also composed for the famous children’s television program - Iftah Ya Simsim, and sang in many theatrical productions, such as Tishreen Estate - and Gharbah. In the play Cask Ya Watan, Helmy sang and made his acting debut.